Deputy Minority Leader Returns GH¢70,000 Vetting Money Over Source Concerns

Deputy Minority Leader and MP for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei, has returned GH¢70,000 given to her in connection with the work of Parliament’s Appointments Committee.

In a memo dated September 2, 2026, to the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Mrs Appiagyei said the amount was presented to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip, but she did not know its original source.

She said she could not accept money whose source was unclear to her.

Mrs Appiagyei said she also did not want to benefit financially from vetting her colleagues from the Majority side, specifically Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Environment Minister Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.

The third reason she gave relates to the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees – Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr.

The Minority walked out of the vetting on August 27, citing irregularities in the procedure adopted by the committee's leadership.

Mrs Appiagyei said having taken a principled stance not to participate in that exercise, it would be inconsistent for her to accept any financial benefit linked to it. She added that she had no intention of extorting money from any of the nominees.

She said her decision was also in support of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who has also decided to return his share of the money.

She has therefore asked that the GH¢70,000 be sent back to the Majority Chief Whip with her reasons stated.